Shotgun Life | The Best in Wing and Clays Shooting

Author: Shotgun Life Staff

A Retrospective of the Stevens 315 Side by Side

Friday, August 02, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: stevens315shotgun, stevensshotguns, stevenssidebysideshotguns

The Stevens 315 is often associated with the “Golden Age” of American industry. Its production exemplifies the values of quality craftsmanship, durability, and practical design that characterized American manufacturing during this era. Today, vintage models of the Stevens 315 Side by Side are sought after by collectors and historians, serving as a testament to the enduring appeal of this iconic shotgun.

The Stevens 315 Side by Side was a product of the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company, an American firearms manufacturer based in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. Founded by Joshua Stevens in 1864, the company initially specialized in producing high-quality pistols, rifles, and shotguns. The Stevens 315 Side by Side shotgun was introduced in the early 20th century, quickly gaining popularity for its functionality, reliability, and affordability. The Stevens 315 was designed to be light, durable, and easy to use, appealing to a broad market of firearm enthusiasts and sportsmen.

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Miroku Shotguns From Japan

Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: browningmirokushotguns, browningshotguns, mirokushotguns

Miroku Firearms Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1893 in Kochi, Japan by the skilled gunsmith Ugyo Miroku. Initially, Miroku made gun components, and it was not until 1941 that the company began producing complete firearms. After the Second World War, Miroku shifted its focus to sport shooting and hunting shotguns and rifles, which led to the establishment of its significant presence in the global market.

In the 1960s, Miroku partnered with Browning, which significantly expanded their international exposure. The strategic collaboration resulted in the production of some of the most sought-after shotguns, including the Browning BPS and the Browning Citori, both manufactured by Miroku.

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Calculating Clay Target’s Forward Allowance

Saturday, July 27, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: claysforwardallowance, claysshooting, claysshootinglead, sportingclays

Forward allowance, also known as lead, is the amount of space a shooter leaves between their gun and a moving clay target before firing in order to break it. The shooter should aim where the clay is going, not where it is.

– Match the target’s speed: Move with the target until the gun and bird are moving at the same speed. This will make the target appear slower, allowing the shooter to acquire a lead picture.
– Use different techniques: Some techniques include mounting on the bird, moving with it, and then pushing ahead. Others include a close swing through technique or briefly tracking and pushing away.
– Consider lead in all directions: Think about lead in front of, above, or below the target.

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Tony Galazan: Maestro of American Shotguns

Saturday, July 27, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: connecticutshotgunmanufacturingcompany, csmcshotguns, galazanshotguns, tonygalazan

Tony Galazan is a name that resonates among gun enthusiasts and connoisseurs. A self-made man who started with nothing but a passion for gunmaking, he built an empire that stands as a testament to American craftsmanship and ingenuity. His story, much like the guns he meticulously crafts, is a blend of tradition, innovation, and perfection.

The American Dream Forged in Steel

Tony Galazan’s journey embodies the quintessential American Dream. Born to humble beginnings in the working-class town of New Britain, Connecticut, Galazan was not born into a family of gunmakers. His fascination with firearms began at an early age when he started collecting historical and vintage guns. However, his interest went beyond mere collecting; he was captivated by the intricate details, the craftsmanship, and the rich history each gun represented.

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The Legacy of Winchester’s Model 42 Pump

Thursday, July 25, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: .410shotguns, pumpshotguns, winchestermodel42, Winchestershotguns

Born out of a legendary lineage of American firearms, the Winchester Model 42 shotgun is more than just a weapon; it is a symbol of national heritage, a testament to remarkable engineering, and an enduring icon in the world of firearms. Its inception stands as an innovative moment in the history of weapons manufacturing, and its enduring legacy continues to captivate gun enthusiasts across the globe. This article provides a comprehensive look at the fascinating history, unique features, enduring legacy, and cultural impact of the Winchester Model 42 shotgun.

The Model 42 shotgun was first introduced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1933, at a time when the world was in the midst of the Great Depression. Despite the economic hardships of the era, the company felt confident in the success of this new .410 bore pump-action shotgun. Production began in earnest, and by the time it ceased in 1963, more than 160,000 units of the Model 42 had been manufactured.

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A Different Approach to the Iconic Flashlight Drill in the Shotgun Sports

Friday, July 19, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: clayshootingflashlightdrill, shotgunflashlightdrill

If you’ve been around clays shooting long enough, you’ve heard of the flashlight drill. You insert a small flashlight in the muzzle of the shotgun, mount the shotgun and then move the barrel along the seam of the wall and the ceiling to simulate the line of the target. It’s a solo drill designed to improve your mount muscle memory, target focus and smooth out your swing through repetition.

But what if you added a second person and a second flashlight?

When carried out with a partner, one person moves the flashlight while the shooter tries to keep their aim on the illuminated spot. This version of the drill adds an element of unpredictability, mimicking the unpredictable nature of live targets in the field.

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What is the Sighting Plane on a Shotgun?

Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: shotgunaccuracy, shotgunbeads, shotgunsightingplane

The sighting plane on a shotgun refers to the imaginary line that connects the front sight, rear sight, and the shooter’s eye. When properly aligned, this sighting plane helps the shooter aim accurately at the target. Unlike rifles or handguns that have physical sights attached to the barrel, shotguns typically rely on a bead or fiber-optic sight at the front of the barrel. The alignment of this sight with the shooter’s eye and a consistent cheek weld on the stock determines the sighting plane.

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Looking Back at Montgomery Ward Shotguns

Sunday, July 14, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: montogmerywardshotguns, westernfieldshotguns

As an iconic department store, Montgomery Ward played a defining role in the proliferation of shotguns in the United States. Montgomery Ward, founded in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward, was a pioneering American department store whose product line-up included a variety of shotguns during its time. Known for its mail-order catalogs, Montgomery Ward catered to rural customers, offering them convenience and a wide selection of products that included firearms. Montgomery Ward shotguns weren’t manufactured in-house; instead, they were made by various manufacturers, then branded and sold under the Montgomery Ward name. Brands such as Iver Johnson, Savage, Stevens, and Fox were associated with Montgomery Ward.

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A Manufrance for the Field May Be Your Next Collectible

Friday, July 12, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: frenchshotguns, manufranceshotguns, roundactionshotguns, roundbodyshotguns

Manufrance, or Manufacture Française d’Armes et Cycles de Saint-Étienne, traces its roots back to 1885, becoming France’s first mail-order company. Its founders, Étienne Mimard and Pierre Blachon, started their venture with a vision to provide high-quality firearms and cycles to the French public. The company quickly made a name for itself with its innovative designs and superior craftsmanship, particularly with their shotguns.

The range of Manufrance’s shotguns, including their legendary Robust and Ideal models, became iconic in the hunting circles of France and beyond. Cold-forged barrels, meticulous attention to detail, and unmatched reliability underpinned the success and popularity of these shotguns. Each shotgun was a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Manufrance, earning them a revered place in the annals of gunsmithing history. Manufrance was known for their lovely round-action shotguns.

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The Little-Known Paradox Shotgun

Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: paradoxshotgun

The Paradox Shotgun gets its name from the unique paradoxical nature of its design. Developed in the late 19th century by British gunmaker Holland & Holland, the Paradox Shotgun was a hybrid between a shotgun and a rifled gun. This innovative design allowed the shooter to fire both shotshells and solid bullets accurately from the same barrel.

Despite its initial success and popularity among hunters and sportsmen, the Paradox Shotgun eventually fell out of favor as newer firearms with more specialized designs entered the market. Today, the Paradox Shotgun is considered a rare collector’s item, with only a few examples still in circulation.

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